Four soldiers and a civilian were wounded after a firefight with members of the Abu Sayyaf Group in Patikul, Sulu while soldiers were preparing for a Christmas Party on Sunday night, Christmas Eve. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of Joint Task Force Sulu, said on Monday that more or less 20 Abu Sayyaf members attacked troops at about 6:45 p.m. on Sunday with automatic gunfire and M203 grenade launchers. The four soldiers sustained shrapnel wounds after retaliating and exchanging fire with the terrorist group, which lasted for about 25 minutes. One civilian was also injured by a shrapnel from the Abu Sayyaf. The wounded civilian was identified as Carmina Yusop.

Source: Manila Times December 25, 2017 16:07 UTC